Eileen Dugan was born in Brooklyn on April 15, 1945. Throughout her full life of public service, many thousands of people were beneficiaries of her understanding, her compassion, and her knowledge of the value of government and communities working together. Eileen was a New York State Assemblywoman from 1980 to 1996. She was elected to represent the 52nd AD (Brooklyn Heights, Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens, Red Hook, Sunset Park, and Bay Ridge) for nine terms. In 1996, she passed away of breast cancer at the age of 51 just days after her last election campaign. Due to her early leadership and advocacy to create a public park on the Brooklyn waterfront, Eileen has been called the Godmother of Brooklyn Bridge Park.

About the Run

For 13 years (1997-2009), the Eileen C. Dugan Run/Walk was held through the streets of Carroll Gardens and Cobble Hill in early October. The event was organized by the Court Street Merchants Association. The Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy was pleased to re-introduce this local favorite in 2012 at its new home, Brooklyn Bridge Park.

About the Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy

All proceeds from the 16th Eileen C. Dugan Memorial Fun Run benefit the Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy’s free programs in the park. For more than 25 years, the Conservancy has been the lead community group advocating for the creation of Brooklyn Bridge Park. Over the past decade, the Conservancy has provided free activities and events—cultural, educational, and recreational —that have been enjoyed by more than 1,000,000 park visitors.